() — An elderly couple died after eating poisonous puffer fish in Malaysia, prompting a call from his daughter for stricter laws to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
Ng Chuan Sing and his wife Lim Siew Guan, both in their early 80s, unknowingly bought at least two puffer fish from an online vendor on March 25, authorities in the southern state of Johor said.
On the same day, Lim fried fish for lunch and began experiencing “difficulties breathing and chills,” authorities said. An hour after eating, Ella Ng’s husband also began displaying similar symptoms, they added.
The couple were rushed to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit. Lim was pronounced dead at 7 pm local time.
Ng slipped into a coma and remained so for eight days, but his condition worsened and he died on Saturday morning, said the couple’s daughter, Ng Ai Lee, who held a news conference at the couple’s home earlier Sunday. of his funeral.
Ng demanded responsibility for her parents’ deaths and tougher laws in Malaysia, where at least 30 species of puffer fish are commonly found in the surrounding waters.
“Those responsible for their deaths must be held accountable under the law and I hope the authorities speed up investigations,” Ng said. “I also hope that the Malaysian government will strengthen laws and help raise public awareness of puffer fish poisoning to prevent such incidents from happening again.”
Malaysian law prohibits the sale of poisonous and harmful foods such as puffer fish meat, and the offense carries a fine of RM10,000 ($2,300) or imprisonment for up to two years.
This photo taken on December 22, 2022 shows a puffer fish in Thai waters. (Credit: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images)
The puffer fish, a highly prized but deadly delicacy
Commonly known as ‘fugu’, the Japanese term for puffer fish, puffer fish meat is enjoyed as a high-priced delicacy even though it contains a deadly poison.
The organs of the fish, as well as the skin, blood, and bones, contain high concentrations of a deadly poison known as tetrodotoxin. Ingesting it can quickly cause tingling around the mouth and dizziness, which can be followed by seizures, respiratory paralysis and death, medical experts say.
It is most commonly served in Tokyo fancy restaurants as ingredients for sashimi and stew, but it has also become popular in countries like South Korea and Singapore, where restaurants specializing in fugu operate.
Under Japanese law, fugu chefs must undergo an extensive apprenticeship of up to three years before being licensed and able to handle and prepare the fish for food. Incorrectly prepared fugu has been found to be one of the most frequent causes of food poisoning in japanaccording to its ministry of health.
There is no known antidote for the poison.
A piece of ‘fugu’ sushi served at a restaurant in Tokyo. (Credit: Sushi University)
Despite the danger and risks, fugu has gained popularity, especially among foodies and thrill seekers, and is now also eaten in countries outside of Japan, sometimes without regulation. In 2020, a food poisoning killed three people in the Philippines after they ate puffer fish at a local barbecue stand.
The Malaysian Ministry of Health said 58 poisoning incidents linked to pufferfish consumption, including 18 deaths, were reported in the country between 1985 and 2023.
Photos shared by Ng on Facebook showed two puffer fish being cooked by the couple: deep-fried, headless and served on plates.
Their deaths sparked a public outcry and widespread sympathy, authorities are investigating who sold them the fish.
“The state district health office opened investigations under the Food Law of 1983… and carried out an on-the-spot investigation to identify the supplier, wholesaler and seller of the puffer fish,” said Ling Tian Soon, head of the Committee. of Unity and Health of Johor, in a statement this Sunday.
He added that his Department of Health would hold talks with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, a government agency that oversees seafood supplies in the country, as well as local universities with fishing expertise.
“Information about puffer fish was also posted on the Ministry of Health’s Food Safety and Quality Facebook page,” Ling said.
“We urge the public to be careful when choosing their food, especially if it has known risks.”
